July 26, 2024
On Thursday, July 25, the Keio University School of Medicine and Tochigi Prefecture signed an agreement regarding a regional quota. This initiative aims to secure "high-level" medical personnel who will practice advanced medical care and lead medical research, contributing to the further enhancement and advancement of medical care and medical sciences within Tochigi Prefecture.
This system, starting from the 2026 academic year, will accept one student under the Tochigi Prefecture regional quota. A condition of admission is that after graduating from the Keio University School of Medicine, the student must work in Tochigi Prefecture for a certain period. Students in the regional quota will receive a student loan from Tochigi Prefecture, and the repayment will be waived upon completion of the required service period.
1. Overview of the Regional Quota System
(1) Student Loan System
・A loan equivalent to six years of tuition will be provided by Tochigi Prefecture (planned).
・Other living expense support measures are under consideration.
(2) Required Years of Service in Tochigi Prefecture after Graduation and Requirements for Loan Repayment Waiver
・Required years of service: 9 years (6-year loan period × 1.5 = 9 years)
・Requirements for loan repayment waiver: After graduation, the student must work for the required 9 years of service at a medical institution designated by the prefecture within a specified period (loan period × 2 + 2 years = a maximum of 14 years).
(3) Career Path Example
・After graduation, students are required to work for 9 years at medical institutions within Tochigi Prefecture.
・If a student wishes to pursue further training, research activities, or study abroad at a university hospital during this period, they can suspend their service obligation for up to 5 years. This suspension period does not count toward the required years of service.
2. Tentative Schedule until the System Launch
The tentative schedule until the system launch is as follows.
2024: Announcement of the system overview
2025: Release of application guidelines and information sessions for the Keio University School of Medicine General Selection (Tochigi Prefecture Regional Quota)
2026: Applications (January)
Keio University School of Medicine General Selection (Tochigi Prefecture Regional Quota) (February–March)
Start of the Tochigi Prefecture Regional Quota (April)
Contact Information
*1 Details of the Tochigi Prefecture Regional Quota system are scheduled to be announced in or after June 2025.
*2 For information on entrance examinations, please check here .
Inquiries regarding the Tochigi Prefecture Regional Quota system
Keio University, Shinanomachi Campus, Office of Student Services
Phone: 03-5363-3662 Email: kym-shinanomachi@adst.keio.ac.jp
Medical Policy Division, Department of Health and Welfare, Tochigi Prefectural Government
Phone: 028-623-3145 Email: tic@pref.tochigi.lg.jp
About the Keio University Tochigi Prefecture Regional Quota